Home Battery Storage: What You Need to Know

Suppose you’re home on a rainy, stormy night, watching TV with the dishwasher running, and all of a sudden the power goes out. Now imagine the same scenario, except you have home battery storage. You’d be happily unaware when the power goes out in your neighbourhood.

What is home battery storage?

Battery storage is an advanced technological solution that allows homeowners to store energy from their solar panels or the electric grid for later use. You may need to draw on this secondary electrical supply when your solar panels can’t generate enough electricity, such as on very cloudy days, or at night. Likewise, in the event of a blackout, you’ll also have immediate access to ample energy to continue to power your home.

Is battery storage for me?

If you have solar panels installed on your roof you’ll generate lots of electricity when the sun is shining. However, when you’re likely to generate energy often doesn’t match up with when households typically want to make use of electricity – it’s at night when your lights are switched on and you use appliances. 

If your solar panels generate electricity and you don’t use it, it usually ends up being fed into the National Grid. You may get paid for it, but it won’t be as much as you’d save if you used the power yourself.

This is where home battery storage is a great solution. If you can store the electricity generated during the day, there’s less need to utilize electricity when the sun is shining, and you’ll use more of the power you generate and save money.

Does a storage battery work without solar panels?

A storage battery can work without solar panels. You can use a storage battery to store electricity from the grid.

Then you can draw on this electricity during peak demand or even in power outages. Using a battery in this way can save you money on your energy bills, as long as you charge it when demand — and therefore prices — are low.

You’ll still be using power from the grid though, so you won’t be able to escape the increasing cost of electricity, even if you avoid peak times!

Considerations for home battery storage

If you’re deciding to add a battery to your solar system or considering purchasing a home battery storage solution for your household in the event of a power outage, here are some of the most important reasons why it could be beneficial for homeowners in Colorado:

• Energy independence – Batteries allow you to keep the energy you generate at your home, ready for when you need it most.

• Blackout protection – If you experience an outage, your battery will take over and power your home.

• Reduce greenhouse emissions – When used with a solar panel system, you’ll be bypassing the current reliance on fossil fuels.

• Reduction in your energy bill – Using a home battery can significantly reduce your electricity bill because you are having to buy less energy from the grid.

Summary

A storage battery is a great way to become more energy independent, even without a solar panel system to charge it. You’ll also drastically reduce your grid reliance, meaning less strain on the grid, fewer CO2 emissions, and an important step to a cleaner world for all.

For more information, friendly advice, and support in finding and installing the best home battery storage for your home, get in touch with Vittetoe Electric today.